- 10 mins
Torres del Paine National Park has a wide range of experiences to offer its visitors, from majestic lakes and towering mountains to the flora and fauna found around every corner. But a visit to Las Torres Patagonia is not complete without exploring Patagonia with our excursions team. These expert bilingual guides will show you all the secrets the park has to offer and give you all the tips you need at every step of the way.
Here are the stories and recommendations of the people who know the park from top to bottom, whose guidance you can always find in the Calafate Room of Hotel Las Torres, where you can choose the adventure that suits you best. They will also accompany you along your excursion and make sure you arrive safely back at the hotel.
Collins Jaar – Excursions Leader at Hotel Las Torres (33 years old)
Collins joined Las Torres Patagonia team in 2018 and has since been a permanent fixture at Hotel Las Torres ever since. He is always reachable in our hallways, ready to share a friendly conversation or offer valuable advice for your next adventure in the park.
From the Calafate Room, he coordinates the guides and executives of the excursion team, making sure that all our visitors can make the most of their stay.
“If you are visiting Las Torres Patagonia and want to immerse yourself in our traditions, local customs, and nature, the best way to do it is on a horseback ride that will give you incredible views of the ranch,” Collins recommends, adding that “on these excursions, you can really connect with the noble nature of our horses, and you will be accompanied by the baqueanos, whose experience and deep knowledge of rural life make them invaluable and reliable guides in these natural environments.”
The Excursions Leader says that “interacting with my peers and team has given me a greater understanding of the importance of empathy and perseverance,” and concludes that, on a personal level, “this job has inspired me to continue looking for new opportunities that spark my passion and drive me to continue growing and always be prepared for new challenges.”
Daniel Salinas – Head Guide (26 years old)
Hotel Las Torres has a team of bilingual guides available to join you on all our excursion programs. Daniel is in charge of supporting these intrepid enthusiasts of Patagonia.
He is looking forward to starting his fourth season with us in October. Reflecting on his experience, Daniel acknowledges that he has learned a lot from this journey and that his work always brings him new challenges. However, he feels secure in knowing he can count on the support of his peers, since, as he says, “the excursions team has always been known for its great sense of camaraderie.”
When asked about his favorite excursion, Daniel does not hesitate to answer that “any place you visit in Torres del Paine National Park is a privilege.” He emphasizes that the park offers such a wide variety of attractions that there is always something to please every visitor.
Andrés Espinoza – Senior Guide (37 years old)
When talking about people who know Torres del Paine National Park inside and out, Andrés Espinoza cannot be left unmentioned. As a senior guide on the excursions team, Andrés is about to begin his fourth season with us.
Of the many stories that Andrés Espinoza has to tell about Torres del Paine, there is one that he remembers particularly fondly. During an early morning excursion to Base Torres to watch the sunrise, a Korean tourist was walking alone a little ways off, trying to follow the route on his own. Andrés was quick to bring him into the group. Despite the language barrier, they were able to communicate in English, which helped them connect more closely. Thus, with a brand-new member, the whole group was able to enjoy the sunrise together from the breathtaking viewpoint.
Among his favorite hikes, Andrés highlights the Lakes Trail. "This trail is very peaceful and can be done at a leisurely pace, which allows you to feel more in touch with nature," he says. The route is approximately 14 kilometers long and takes about five hours to cover. “The elevation of the trail gives you spectacular views of the Paine Massif and allows you to appreciate the area’s impressive geology,” he concludes.
Valentina Aguirre – Senior Guide (31 years old)
Having spent a total of five seasons in Torres del Paine National Park, two of them working with us, Valentina Aguirre has a wealth of experience in tourism. She has been a guide everywhere from central Chile to the country’s most famous surfing spots on the coast.
During her first year in Torres del Paine, Valentina says that one of her biggest challenges was to adapt to the region’s ever-changing climate, which is commonly said to offer “four seasons in one day.” However, as the months went by, she was able to get used to the weather and fell in love with the Patagonian landscape.
As for her favorite excursions, Valentina is quick to mention an 8-kilometer hike known as Patagon. “It’s a medium-difficulty trail, and it’s also a half-day, so it gives you time to do other things during the afternoon,” she said, adding that “you can learn a lot about the flora and fauna, as well as the geology and ecosystems of the park. The route starts at the Sarmiento entrance and ends at Amarga Lagoon.”
As she reminisces about her many seasons in the park, Valentina recalls the time she accompanied a couple to Base Torres. She was impressed that the woman, despite being about 4 months pregnant, took on the challenge of reaching this viewpoint, although they did so at a nice and easy pace.
Along the way, the couple took a few minutes at different points on the trail to record the sounds of the river, the rain, the birds, or any other sounds they found in nature. The couple told her that they wanted to share the sounds of this trip with their newborn and remember their experience together in Torres del Paine while they were waiting for the baby to be born.
With our guides at Hotel Las Torres, you will be accompanied not only by a Patagonia expert on your excursion, but also by a highly competent professional whose friendship you will remember for many years to come.
Learn about our hikes or check out what adventures are available during your next stay.
